Young Readers Program
Chautauqua Institution is a community that values and celebrates reading, and since 1994, the CLSC Young Readers program has engaged young Chautauquans and community members in the enjoyment of good reading. Each summer, a selection of books are chosen for their quality, the variety of their styles and subjects, and their appeal to young readers. While aimed at 9- to 14-year-olds, these books will also delight younger and older readers. Young Readers selections now include Early Reader titles for our earliest readers and their families.
Contact Information
Stephine Hunt
Managing Director of Literary Arts
shunt@chq.org
716.357.6255
2026 Book List
WEEK ONE
Fly Girls: The Daring American Women Pilots Who Helped Win WWII
by P. O’Connell Pearson
Ages 10+ • Young Reader
WEEK ONE
Go Forth and Tell: The Life of Augusta Baker, Librarian and Master Storyteller
by Breanna McDaniel
Ages 5–8 • Early Reader
WEEK TWO
The Last Resort
by Erin Entrada Kelly
Ages 8–12 • Young Reader
WEEK TWO
Anne of Green Gables
by L.M. Montgomery
Ages 8–14 • Young Reader Classic
WEEK THREE
Impossible Creatures
by Kathrine Rundell
Ages 9+ • Young Reader
WEEK THREE
Signs of Hope: The Revolutionary Art of Sister Corita Kent
by Mara Lockliff
Ages 4–8 • Early Reader
WEEK FOUR
The Islanders
by Mary Alice Monroe and Angela May
Ages 8–12 • Young Reader
WEEK FOUR
Life After Whale: The Amazing Ecosystem of a Whale Fall
by Lynne Brunell
Ages 4–8 • Early Reader
WEEK FIVE
Same Page
by Elly Swartz
Ages 10+ • Young Reader
WEEK FIVE
A Home on the Page
by Kao Kalia Yang
Ages 5–10 • Early Reader
WEEK SIX
Rebellion 1776
by Laurie Halse Anderson
Ages 10+ • Young Reader
WEEK SIX
An American Story
by Kwame Alexander
Ages 4–8 • Early Reader
WEEK SEVEN
A Rover’s Story
by Jasmine Warga
Ages 8–12 • Young Reader
WEEK SEVEN
We Are Definitely Human
by X. Fang
Ages 4–8 • Early Reader
WEEK EIGHT
Roll With it
by Jamie Summer
Ages 10+ • Young Reader
WEEK EIGHT
Fry Bread
by Kevin Mallard
Ages 3–6 • Early Reader
WEEK NINE
Legendary Frybread Drive-In
edited by Cynthia Leitich Smith
Ages 13+ • Young Reader
WEEK NINE
Where They Gather
by Teresa Rodrigues
Ages 4 – 8 • Early Reader
The Program
In addition to reading the summer’s selections, youth are invited to attend the related weekly program throughout the Chautauqua season on Wednesdays at 12:15 p.m. on the porch of the Literary Arts Center at Alumni Hall. The program includes a brief book discussion followed by a presentation or activity led by community leaders, local organizations, and sometimes even the authors themselves.
While the most important feature of the Young Readers program is reading, all levels of participation are important and are encouraged — from reading only one of the selections to reading them all. The weekly programs are open to all youth, and reading the week’s selection is encouraged but not required for attendance.
Young Readers Medallion
The Young Readers medallion rewards young Chautauquans who read 16 books from the program’s historic book list. The medallion is made possible by the John H. Bliss Memorial Fund and the support of the CLSC Class of 2002.